The iconic Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is easily one of the most famous trails in Australia, and for good reason. It’s the perfect free way to see all of the Eastern Suburb’s prettiest and most popular beaches, with plenty of opportunities to stop for a rest, a bite or a swim.
The six-kilometre walk winds from Bondi Beach through Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, Clovelly Beach, Gordon’s Bay and finally, Coogee Beach. Along the way, you’ll pass the stunning cliffside graveyard, Waverley Cemetery, as well as wandering past iconic ocean swimming pools, kid-friendly green spaces and gorgeous houses that line the coast.
While the walk isn’t overly challenging, there’s little shade along the way, and it’s not suitable for wheelchairs or prams due to a few steep sections. It takes the average person roughly two to three hours to complete.
You can start the walk from either Bondi to Coogee (it doesn’t really make much difference), though finishing in Bondi tends to be easier for those heading home. From there, you can easily jump on the frequent 333 bus to the city or Bondi Junction, making for a smooth trip back. If you want to have the real Sydney tourist experience, book lunch or dinner at the Bondi Icebergs Club and finish your walk with a schooner or Aperol Spritz at Sydney’s most famous bistro.
As someone who’s done this walk many times (including in winter, in summer, in the morning, at peak hour and at sunset) I’ve put together my top tips for completing the walk, stopping along the way, how to get to each destination and where to snap the best photos.
Table of Contents
What should I bring?
Although there are cafes, restaurants and even some convenience stores that are accessible over the course of the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, we recommend you bring the following:
- Water bottle: Make sure to start with a full bottle of water. There are plenty of refill stations along the way, but if it’s a hot day its important to stay hydrated.
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses: Australia’s sun is no joke, and there is little shade on the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. Make sure you reapply sunscreen after a swim and wear a cap or hat.
- Swimwear: What’s the point of seeing Sydney’s most popular beaches if you don’t go for a dip? Bring your swimwear with you.
- Comfortable shoes: I wouldn’t recommend doing the walk in thongs or sandals— opt for comfortable shoes that you’re happy to walk long distances in, and bring some thongs in your bag if you want to kick off your trainers at the end of the day.
- ID: For those wanting to finish up the walk with a bite to eat at Icebergs Bistro, you have to have ID to enter. Don’t be the one to forget!
- Towel: You’ll want to dry off after a swim, plus it can double as a picnic blanket to sit on.
- Camera: You’re about to see some of the most iconic beaches in Sydney— make sure your phone is charged or bring a camera to snap the best shots!
- Snacks: Even though I’ve recommended plenty of cafes and eateries along this walk, if you’re on a budget, bring some snacks along with you. There are plenty of places to sit down and eat while you enjoy the views (what’s better than a beachside picnic?)
- Backpack: If you have one, do your shoulders a favour and bring a small backpack on the walk to put all of the above in.
Map of the Route
Here’s a rough map of the six-kilometre route. The coastal walk is well sign-posted, so don’t worry about getting lost!
The Route
1. Start at Coogee
Your walk will start in Coogee, a suburb in Sydney known for its beautiful beach, lively Pavilion and multitude of bustling cafés and restaurants. To get to Coogee from the CBD, you can hop on the 374X or the 373X buses from St. James Station. You can also get the train to Bondi Junction and hop on the 350 if you’d rather not sit on a bus the whole way. If you want to avoid public transport, you can order an Uber right to the beach, or hop on a Lime Bike.
We recommend heading off in the morning, both to avoid the crowds and the hottest part of the day. So pop into one of Coogee’s many cafés for a coffee and a pastry before you set off (I love Fabbrica Bread Shop, The Little Kitchen and Lox in a Box).
You can find the start of the walk next to the Coogee Pavilion (also a great spot to hit for rooftop drinks and a fun night out). The above picture shows the Rainbow Steps— simply walk down towards the green park and the Coogee Pavilion will be on your left. Walking onto the grass marks the beginning of the coastal walk.
Here, you’ll walk through Dunningham Reserve, where you can walk up to Dolphins Point and snap some photographs or pop down to Giles Baths, a natural rock pool perfect for ocean swimming. However, if you want to get on with the walk, you’ll follow the route up to the Bali Memorial, a sculpture dedicated to the victims of the tragic 2002 Bali Bombing.
Continue through Dunningham Reserve and look out at Kimberley’s Vantage Point (which is also a great spot to watch sunrise). Sit on the sandstone rock and take in the stunning view before heading back to the main path and down to Gordon’s Bay.
2. Pass through Gordons Bay
Gordons Bay is a popular little pocket for snorkellers, divers and locals. On a hot day, you’ll see people basking on the rocks and enjoying the quieter, less sandy sunbathing spot. Most of the small beach is lined with wooden planks, which hold up small boats, but there’s still space to perch on the surrounding rocks (waves and weather permitting).
Many people don’t know that there’s actually a self-guided scuba diving (or snorkelling) park at Gordons Bay, called the Gordons Bay Underwater Nature Trail. This dive is beginner-friendly, looping around the bay and offering plenty of opportunities to spot marine life, including the incredible Blue Groper.
After you’ve passed Gordons Bay, you’ll continue the route up Cliffbrook Parade, where you’ll walk up to the Clovelly Car Park. There are usually a couple of ice cream vans parked here in the summer, so stop off for a sweet treat and look out at the view from the flat sandstone rocks.
3. Clovelly Beach
As you continue around the car park, you’ll find yourself looking out at Clovelly Beach. Pass Clovelly Surf Life Saving Club and stop by Seasalt Cafe if you’re after a coffee or some brekky/ lunch. There’s also a public toilet next to the cafe with a changing room.
As you continue around to the beach, you’ll see the Geoff James Pool, which has just been resurfaced and has a new accessible staircase installed. If you’d rather swim laps than jump off the rocks and snorkel in the bay, opt for a dip in the ocean pool.
You’ll always find locals and visitors lounging on the flat concrete by the water at Clovelly. While there’s a small patch of sand for those who prefer the beach, the concrete is perfect if you’d rather skip getting yourself and your towel all sandy. You can ease yourself into the water using the ladder, or take the plunge and jump right in.
Clovelly Beach is another area popular with snorkellers, and many enjoy swimming here as it can be a bit more sheltered than the other beaches (however, if the weather is rough, it can get very choppy!)
Once you’ve spent some time in Clovelly, you’ll continue on your walk by following the route around to Burrows Park Sportsfield, which consists of a football field, toilet block and picnic shelters. You can either walk along the cliff here or cut through the park along Ocean Street. You’ll continue past Clovelly Bowling and Recreation Club (which has one of the most beautiful bowling greens in the world) before continuing onto Waverley Cemetery.
4. See the stunning Waverley Cemetery
Wavereley Cemetery marks one of the most popular parts of the coastal walk, thanks to its winding steps that are easy to follow and the breathtaking placement of the cemetery against the lapping waves. Many notable people are buried at the Wavereley Cemetery, including Jules Francoise Archibald (journalist and benefactor of the Archibald art prize), Henry Lawson (writer and poet) and Sir Frances Forbes (first Chief Justice of NSW).
There are plenty of lookout spots to stop and take pictures at this part of the walk; however, it can get busy, and the footpath isn’t very wide, so make sure to walk single file and be aware of the people around you. If you want to stop for a rest here, or take in the beauty of the cemetery and the significance of its placement, there are plenty of benches along the boardwalk to perch on.
Keep an eye out for this heart-shaped hole in the rock— it makes a great photo stop along the walk, especially at sunset. You’ll continue past Waverley Cemetery until you reach Calgar Place, a public road with big rocks to your right. You can continue down this road, where you’ll soon see Bronte Beach sparkling to your right. Grab a coffee at the Coop (the best cafe at Bronte) or stop for a heartier meal at Bronte Fish & Chips.
5. Bronte Beach
Bronte, with its expansive park and public BBQs, is a great place to stop for a break. Its huge ocean pool, Bronte Baths, is a good option for those who want to avoid a rip, or if you’re doing the walk with kids, go for a swim in the Bogey Hole. Located at the southern end of the beach, the Bogey Hole is a small, sheltered spot where surrounding rocks protect it from bigger waves.
If your kids want to have a run around, there’s a decent-sized playground towards the back of Bronte Park, as well as plenty of shaded areas, and, of course, those trusty public BBQs. You’ll often see children’s birthday parties happening at Bronte Park for this very reason. The Bronte Train (which goes in a tiny circular loop and is right next to the bach). It costs $5 and is generally cash-only.
A warning that the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club is currently closed while a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility is being constructed in its place. Although the finished Clubhouse is set to be an exciting new hub for the community, it does mean that Bronte is currently experiencing significant construction, as well as temporary toilets and changing rooms, which have far less space and cubicles than the previous ones. The new building is scheduled to open in 2027, so unfortunately, the beach won’t return to its full glory until then.
The usual walking path out of Bronte is a bit different, thanks to the construction work occurring around the Surf Life Saving Club. Follow the path around the back of the construction site, where you can join the road (Bronte Marine Drive) and continue on the footpath around to Tamarama. You’ll then see the path down to Tamarama snake off on your right, giving you access to the next beach.
6. Tamarama Beach
Tamarama Beach, although it doesn’t have an ocean pool and is much smaller than Bronte, Bondi and Coogee, is another beach popular with locals.
The Tamarama Beach Kiosk serves an impeccable bacon and egg roll, and the toilets and changing rooms are clean and modern. It’s also great for people watching: you’ll often see people playing volleyball on the beach, or surfers catching waves. Kids can have fun in the playground at the back of the park, and visitors can make use of their shaded BBQ areas.
A warning that, despite the lovely, calm picture we’ve featured above, Tamarama is not the safest beach for swimming. With its powerful surf, strong currents and unpredictable conditions, it’s usually the go-to for experienced surfers rather than swimmers. Although they’ll sometimes put up the red and yellow flags, conditions permitting, the beach is often closed to swimming.
So, if you’re spending some time on Tama and the conditions aren’t looking too good, stick to enjoying the scenery, watching the surfers, cheering on the volleyball players and scoffing a bacon and egg roll.
You’re nearing the end of the coastal walk! At the north side of the beach, near the water, there are steps up to the next part of the footpath. In October, this part of the coastal walk hosts the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition, which sees around 100 pieces of art dotted along the trail. You’ll notice this part of the walk has more grassy areas and flat rock jutting out towards the sea, perfect for the art installation.
7. Mackenzies Bay and Mackenzies Point Lookout
Mackenzies Bay is a confusing point on the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. It’s technically a small embayment in the coast between Bondi and Tama, and remains, most of the time, as a rocky inlet. However, the elusive “Mackenzies Bay Beach” sometimes appears, most recently in 2007, 2016, 2019 and 2023.
Whether or not the small beach decides to make an appearance, there’s still plenty left to see and enjoy on the last part of the iconic walk. Continue up to Marks Park, where you might spot some ridiculously fit people working out at the Marks Park Outdoor Fitness Station (classic Bondi). Marks Park itself has public toilets, a playground and plenty of green space.
Head to Mackenzies Point lookout for your first glimpse of the iconic Bondi Beach. Make sure you stop here and snap some photos, as there’s a great panoramic view of the beach. Continue on the path around to Bondi (you’re so close to the end!). This last part is cool as rocks hang over the path, with various ledges jutting out.
8. Bondi Beach
You’ve pretty much made it! At the end of the coastal walk, you can either turn left and up, then walk down Notts Avenue, or continue round by the bottom of Icebergs on their balcony. If you want to actually enter the iconic pool and go for a dip, it costs $9 for adults and $6 for children (12 and under).
If you want to celebrate the end of the walk with a schooner, an aperol spritz, or a tasty bite to reenergise, pop into The Bergs and enjoy panoramic views of the Iceberg pool and the North Bondi headland. To enter this iconic bistro, you must bring ID to sign in, either a passport, a driver’s licence or a member ID. There’s also the Icebergs Dining Room and Bar; however, this is a fine dining institution, and maybe not the best idea if you’ve just finished the six-kilometre walk!
If you’re not fussed about Bondi Icebergs, consult our Bondi Beach guide for a comprehensive list of the best eateries and bars. Personally, I like to walk all the way to North Bondi and grab an açai bowl from D. Bowls. North Bondi tends to be a bit quieter but also has incredible cafes and restaurants, including Harry’s and Pocket.
Maroubra to Bondi: how you can extend the walk
Many of us are perfectly content finishing the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk with a well-earned beer and some fish and chips. But for the more ambitious hikers (or anyone keen to impress their Strava followers), the trail doesn’t have to end there— you can easily extend the walk at both ends for an even bigger coastal adventure.
I spent a short period of time living in Maroubra, the lesser-known beach of the Eastern Suburbs, located south of Coogee. You can extend your coastal walk by beginning in Maroubra and doing Maroubra to Bondi (or Bondi to Maroubra).
A warning: this is not a short add-on. It will turn your six-kilometre walk into a (roughly) 12-kilometre walk, taking you through South Coogee.
If you want to do this extension, I recommend that you start at Maroubra Beach (if you’re coming from the city, you can catch the 396 bus from Circular Quay to the beach). From Maroubra Beach, you can wander up to the Marine Parade, where the grassy Jack Vanny Reserve juts out for a great view. If you want to start the hike with a swim, pop down to Mahon Rock Pool at the base of the reserve, a popular and hidden spot on the headland.
Continue down Marine Parade, which will wrap around the coast, offering beautiful views of Lurline Bay. You’ll pass the Rob Walker Rockpool (which you can also swim in) before continuing up to Liguria Street and onto Seaside Parade. Unfortunately, you will need to leave the coastal views for a moment, looping round Edgecliffe Avenue, up to Malabar Road and round onto Cuzco Street.
From there, you can rejoin the coastal walk along the South Coogee Wetlands, past Trenerry Reserve and through to Coogee’s iconic ocean pools: McIver’s Ladies Baths and Wylie’s Baths. Continue on and you’ll hit Coogee Beach, meaning you can continue on to the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk with ease.
